UPDATE: Ron Oden Under Fire for Lack of Leadership

Critics Express Concern Regarding ‘Leadership Abilities’ of Trustee Ron Oden

PALM DESERT — Until now, College of the Desert Area 3 Trustee Ron Oden has enjoyed a honeymoon of sorts since first being appointed unanimously to the COD Board of Trustees in May 2023 and subsequently handily winning election to seat in November 2025.

Many saw the former mayor of Palm Springs as a healer of sorts after a tumultuous time at the community college where the search a aa new president is underway — again. He promoted himself as a “consensus builder” and “mediator.”

Now, some see him are finding chinks in the armor. He has consistently referred to COD as a “College in chaos.” He has made comments that suggest the College is shirking its responsibilities in hiring female leaders. He did not support placing former Interim Superintendent/President Laura Hope on administrative leave,

He also did not support Area 4 Trustee Joel Kinnamon, who supported Oden him for both appointment and election, The two are clearly on different paths.

Kinnamon supported Val Martinez Garcia for the Interim Acting Superintendent/President; Oden opposed him.

At the April 10 board meeting, the head of COD’s chapter of the Cailfornia School Employees Association CSEA), addressed the Board of Trustees to say in part that “CSEA is concerned with Trustee Oden’s leadership abilities. Trustee Oden, over the last few months has displayed confusion, a lack of understanding and a rush to judgment. This is in regards to the presidential search, its applicants, the committee members and his absence. The statements and actions of Trustee Oden has created frustration and worry in regards to his leadership abilities throughout the district.

“CSEA has not had the opportunity to hear or see much positivity or leadership skills from Trustee Oden,” the representative said.

Others also addressed the board with similar comments, including Mary Lou Marrujo, a former COD employee; Carlene Hart and Carolyn Johnson, a CESA rep..

 

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Following is the updated information taken directly from the COD Board of Trustees meeting earlier this month.

Here is a letter read into the minutes from Carele Hart: https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/cod/Board.nsf/files/DFKUJU7C5616/$file/Public%20Comment%20%231%20-%20Carlene%20Hart.pdf

Following are the comments from Carolyn Johnson:

“Thank you so much. My name is Carolyn Johnson and I’m a proud member of CSEA here at this college. I am here today to speak on agenda item number 13.1.

“Enough is enough. Trustee Ron Oden’s behavior has gone from questionable to harmful and it’s time to speak up. Let’s start with his praise for former Interim President Laura Hope. She’s currently on administrative leave, named in multiple racial discrimination lawsuits and accused of tearing down shared governance while intimidating staff.

“But Trustee Oden didn’t just support her he urged her to apply for the permanent position after she said she wouldn’t. That reckless move hurt the integrity of the search process so badly that CSEA had to publicly demand his recusal. That’s not leadership, it’s interference. (Editor’s note: If  Oden did encourage her to run, she did not make the top four finalists after holding the job for a year as interim,)

“Then there’s this praise of former VP Rod Garcia. This is the same VP who tried to remove gender neutral bathrooms, downgrade internet access at Palm Springs and (Allegedly illegally installed coin-operated tampon machines, and Oden called that a stellar job. Absolutely not. That’s a step backwards.

“Let’s be clear, CSEA suffered under Rod Garcia’s leadership. Staff were ignored, reassigned without notice and pressured in ways that created a toxic work environment. Morale dropped; communication broke down. Rod Garcia’s actions hurt the very people who keep this college running.

“In March, Trustee Oden made a dramatic comment about the elephant in the room when female staff were absent, knowing that one was sick, and the other was at a conference. What was the point? To stir up controversy and cast doubt on acting President Val Martinez Garcia? That’s not leadership, that’s manipulation.

“He also told people that President Martinez Garcia is not qualified. That’s deeply inappropriate, especially when he’s in the role and might apply for it. Comments like that show bias, and they’re exactly why Oden should not be part of the selection process going forward.

“And the most serious issue, the suspected leaking of confidential legal documents to the press. Documents meant to embarrass Board Chair Kinnamon and possibly threaten our accreditation. Even worse, last June, Oden reportedly gave whistleblower letters to the very people named in them, putting employees at risk. That’s not just unethical, it’s dangerous.

“Trustee Oden says he wants stability, but his actions cause chaos. He wants unity, but he divides. College of the Desert deserves better. We need leaders who care about students and staff, not personal agendas, not backroom politics, and not drama. Thank you.”

Oden did not address the remarks during the meeting, and he declined to comment when I reached out to him.

This is far from over.